FEBRUARY 4, 1952

PARIS, Sunday—Over here there has been a great deal of talk about the coming Soviet world economic
conference, which is scheduled to meet in Moscow next April. They are seeking cooperation
from non-Communist businessmen and economists in many countries.

Not having been home for some time, I do not know how much is being done there or
whether American businessmen would wish to do anything. Here in France I have heard
it said that inducements are being held out to businessmen and that Soviet representatives
are saying they want to advance the cause of peace by encouraging foreign trade. They
feel that, through greater trade opportunities, many of the economic problems of this
part of the world, as well as of the eastern part of Europe, can be solved.

All this is proof, of course, that they themselves are having a hard time and that
they feel the need of wider markets from which to buy and to sell. But back of it
all may lie the hope that through economic advantages which they can offer European
countries they may be able to undermine some of the influence of the United States.
Of course, those who go to Moscow will only see what the Russians wish to show them.
But even some French people are worried for fear that businessmen in the various countries
may be taken in and think there is more to be gained by close affiliation with Moscow
than in all probability can be achieved. I cannot believe that the Soviets can offer
much in the way of trade, since they find it hard to produce for themselves.

The conference might lead to certain difficulties among the allies, however, and that
would be quite in line with Russia's usual efforts. Day by day, as far as I can see,
Russia concentrates on confusing people. Now and then they do so by deliberate misinterpretation
of what people have said. For a minute one thinks they have not really clearly understood,
but one soon learns that they understand very well and are just trying to gum up the
works by appearing not to understand.

At a recent committee meeting, for example, the Soviet and Arab groups carried out
as neat a job of filibustering as I have ever seen. The only point to the whole thing
was delay, because in the end nothing else could be gained by it. All it did do was
to drive our chairman to suspend the meeting before the vote was finished.

E. R.

(WORLD COPYRIGHT, 1952, BY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.; REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR
IN PART PROHIBITED.)